Page 23 - Shining On Newsletter - Autumn 2022

another friendly member of staff here who straight away offered my coffee. Finally i made my way
following the Route to Santiago de Compostela (the Pilgrims Way) from France via
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port into Spain down through Roncesvalles to Pamplona where my temperature
gauge told me it was 40c, more than hot enough wearing motorcycle clothing and gloves a legal
requirement in both France & Spain.

After staying in a small village and being invited to a village meal in the local hall prepared by my
accommodation host, and costing only 11euros, my journey continued. Skirting the Picos Mountains due
to forecast bad weather I visited friends and had some day rides in the Oviedo area, both to the coast
and inland into the mountains. The weather here was much cooler with some rain and my planned rides
into the heart of the picos will have to wait until next time, but from the rides I did they really are stunning.
My final journey was to a very busy Ferry at Santander where I was met by hundreds of bikers all
heading to the Isle of Man TT, amongst them a few Indian Motorcycles from Spain and some returning
from the UK, so a good time to chat and compare notes. A smooth crossing across the bay of Biscay
and arrival the next day in Plymouth followed by the 90 miles back to Coverack and the end of a fantastic
trip.
To sum up: a great trip on a fantastic motorcycle which was well suited to the distances covered and
coped well with both twisty mountain roads and high passes in extreme heat. The dealerships I visited
were welcoming and great stops for a coffee and chat and would have been very useful should I have
needed any assistance, not that my Indian needs that.

A BIG thanks to the staff at Thor Motorcycles here in Cornwall for my pre trip service and their continued
support and servicing, always accompanied with a smile.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Touring in SE Australia - Part 3 of 3 (by Peter ‘Norfolk’ Read)

In the last episode we left Peter in Mount Gambier. Here’s the finale…
Day 15: Mount Gambier to Port Fairy

The weather Gods were true to their word and as
the journey wore on the sun came out and the
temperature rose to a heady 12C. One of the top
200 Rides in the map book is along the coast
from Mount Gambier to Portland, about half way
to Port Fairy. True to its word it's through forested

areas (watch out for logging trucks) headlands and
winding roads. Good fun and worth the journey.
Portland for lunch and then head off to Port Fairy
and whoo hoo.....no rear brake? No leaks, fluid OK,
pads OK??? Fortunately a motor factors was across
the road so buy brake fluid and a length of tubing
and bleed rear brake on side of road, to find caliper
is full of air. Quick bleed and it's back and no
problem for the rest of the trip so a bit of a mystery
really. (Note to self: take replacement slave cylinder
with you when you go over next).

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